Emelia Hartford is joining forces with Holley parts on a new build, an epic drivetrain swap on a Ford Mustang that is having its beating 5-liter Coyote V8 heart removed to install something bigger, better and badder.
In the space of 12 short minutes, the YouTube video documents the removal of an engine and what needs to happen to install a new, bigger one.
That’s if it fits, though, as there may be some challenges along the way – either way, anyone who makes a current-gen Mustang quicker and fitting a big supercharger on top gets our approval.
The Hartford Ford Big-Block Engine Swap Is Awesome To Behold
Before the big block can go in, the old one needs to come out. The Mustang S550 with the Coyote V8 is the sixth-generation pony car from Ford, now 7 years old, which makes 435 hp and 400 lb-ft as standard, although there are many versions and specials that Ford produce.
For those who want extra power there is a raft of modifications available including remapping, turbos and more but for the ultimate in upgrades, you could swap out the engine for a new one.
The team have a new gearbox to go with the transplant engine, a Tremec unit from Tick Performance (a T56 Magnum XL), which has the 5th and 6th gears removed to save 10 lbs of weight – important in a drag-racer for the road.
To start, they need to unscrew bolts, disconnect pipes and then winch the old motor out from its old home carefully – which leaves a huge, gaping engine bay fit for any engine.
An Epic Engine Swap To Create A Drag-Racer For The Road
Emelia confesses that they are not sure this new behemoth of an engine will fit, but handily there is a plasma cutter available just in case it doesn’t, which is possible given how much space the additional blower unit will take up on top of the motor block.
Winching it all in carefully, modifying things so that the engine can clear the steering rack, we get a view of the almost-finished product with TBS supercharger unit on top.
It all fits – a minimal-fuss engine-swap done in no time, with just the electronic fuel injection hardware to install and of course the modified hood.
We don’t get performance numbers yet, but we’re sure the power figures will comfortably beat the 5-liter V8, which was once taking up space in the engine bay.